Sustainable Event Alliancehttp://sustainable-event-alliance.org
at the intersection of sustainability and event productionWed, 16 Aug 2017 09:03:32 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.5Chelsey Blondel (Intern) Sydneyhttp://sustainable-event-alliance.org/chelsea-blondel-intern-sydney/
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 19:13:13 +0000http://sustainable-event-alliance.org/?p=23956Chelsey passionately advocates for an environmentally sustainable music and event culture in Australia after recognising a lack of eco-friendly practices within the industry. Currently in her penultimate year at the University of Sydney, she is studying a combined degree, majoring in Environmental studies and Government/ International Relations. Parallel to her education, Chelsey begun work experience in the music and events industry earlier this year, working as an event and marketing intern for a Sydney based record label and as an ambassador for SoundCloud. Through her studies and work experience, she aims to introduce sustainable frameworks and practices to the Australian music and events industry using the guidelines and principles set by the SEA.
]]>New Global Interns, Board Member and Accredited Professional at the SEAhttp://sustainable-event-alliance.org/new-global-interns-board-member-and-accredited-professional-at-the-sea/
Thu, 03 Aug 2017 21:58:49 +0000http://sustainable-event-alliance.org/?p=23942Alexandra Thompson (Intern, Columbia, SC, USA)http://sustainable-event-alliance.org/alexandra-thompson-intern-columbia/
Thu, 03 Aug 2017 21:29:44 +0000http://sustainable-event-alliance.org/?p=23935Alexandra is a recent graduate from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business and Honors College. She wants to use her background in management to make sustainability issues a priority in live entertainment. For her Honors Senior Thesis, Alexandra provided resources for venues in Columbia, SC to modify their operations and reduce their environmental impacts.

In addition to being a virtual intern for the Sustainable Event Alliance, Alexandra is working on local events in Columbia to recruit volunteers and work with vendors. She hopes that with each event, she will continue to bring awareness to the environmental impact of events and transform the way attendees and event planners treat the environment.

Details of experience:
My interest in sustainability started to become a professional focus during my time as a Union Rep in the civil service from 2007-2015. I became an Environment Rep and a key member of the cross department cross grade working group to improve our sustainability performance of the organisation. Successes included engagement initiatives on organic/fairtrade food and healthy living, implementing LED and smart lighting technology leading to reduced energy bills, switching to a renewable energy provider, implementing full recycling facilities at all sites, organising free 'Dr Bike' bike maintenance days, and supporting members on mental health issues in the workplace.

My sustainable event management experience began with Brisfest and Montpelier Bean Feast. At Brisfest I had experience as a stage and area manager. Myself and my colleague (who has aviation industry environmental management experience) joined forces and began the early stages of a sustainable event management system. We completed the baseline measurements and began engagement with a variety of stakeholders internal and external. Unfortunately as Brisfest did not return to an outdoor festival event we decided to put the project on hold indefinitely. However the experience was invaluable. Bean Feast I was a committee member involved with various aspects of the event. I began to focus on waste, taking on full responsibility for management of waste at the event, ensuring the site was kept litter free and all waste streams were fully segregated. We also measured energy and water. Using IG Tools, a sustainability report was produced and presented to the team, which informed future decisions for the event.

My main project is Redfest Bristol, that delivers a high quality arts event for the community of East Bristol. The sustainability project has been running for 3 years and is proving to be a great success. Sustainability is represented on the board of directors by myself. We measured our baseline in 2014 and have been making improvements ever since. Our event attendees have grown exponentially, from 6000 to 10,000 to 20,000 however our per attendee carbon footprint has decreased. Initiatives such as free cycle parking facilities, encouraging more to walk and less to drive, recycling initiatives, solar powered stages, free drinking water, reusable cups and compostable serviceware have been overwhelmingly well received by all stakeholders. 2017 is offering unique challenges and opportunities due to a change of event format - from an single day outdoor festival to a multi day multi venue takeover style event. Priorities this year are engaging in a more indepth way with venues and sponsors, promoting sustainability in a broader sense within the community, and improving our environmental management system. This year I am blessed with a wonderful supporting team - an event management student who is specialising in sustainable event management for his masters and a built environment environmental manager and auditor - between the three of us it's looking very positive indeed for Redfest's future.

Backed up with my extensive theoretical and solid practical experience in:
(Mass Communication, Filmmaking, Photography, PR, journalism, Marketing, Events Management and the experience that I gain in media and events production industry after 9 years allowed me to lead the whole process of projects at all levels, I believe that I am ready to make outstanding contributions for any organization.

My working experience also includes Business development, B2B, CSR, Advertising, Branding and managing acquisitions and new businesses/ Startup.

I believe that a single hand cannot clap that's why I truly do believe in our power to come together as One the "power of we".

I have always considered the environmental aspects and the sustainability as the cornerstone for any project or event.

I plan to educate myself more about the sustainable event management until I became ready to help in introducing the concept to our industry.

My overarching objective is to implement the sustainable event management in MENA region by 40% by 2022.

That's why I joined SEA to be with the right people who work and care about our future and to share and spread the right Knowledge and best practices with our colleagues as the events can have high contribution and positive impact toward our communities to make the world a better place for all of us.

Feel free to contact me if you have any interesting projects.

MD (at) utopiaarabia.com

]]>Zoe Arnold (Intern – UK)http://sustainable-event-alliance.org/zoe-arnold-intern-uk/
Fri, 09 Jun 2017 07:46:00 +0000http://sustainable-event-alliance.org/?p=23842Zoe started out her professional career in the Environment sector towards the end of 2016, working as an Environmental Assistant for a University Students' Union in Brighton, UK.

Time spent growing up in Dorset and enjoying the outdoors, studying a BA in Anthropology & International Development, volunteering for charities such as FoodCycle and reading lots about environmental sustainability has all contributed to her choosing to work in this area.

After attending a variety of events and festivals Zoe has been encouraged to become a SEA intern from June 2017 and hopes to expand her understanding of event sustainability.

Zest Mixology launched in 2011, we provide bespoke mobile bar services for all events, private or corporate, providing a magical and memorable experience for all.

Specialising in cocktail mixology, our services are all flexible, allowing you to obtain the ideal solution for your event, throughout the UK & Europe. In five years we’ve delivered over 2500 events throughout the UK and Europe and served over 1,000,000 guests.

SEA Member? NoSEA Accredited Professionals in the Implementation Team: No

]]>New SEA Accredited Professional Cohorts – Greece, Portugal, Italyhttp://sustainable-event-alliance.org/new-sea-accredited-professional-cohorts-greece-portugal-italy/
Sun, 09 Apr 2017 14:41:30 +0000http://sustainable-event-alliance.org/?p=23760The Sustainable Event Alliance is proud to announce the newest cohorts to the SEA Accredited Professional program are from Greece, Italy and Portugal – proving that sustainable event management is being embraced across the globe.

SEA Accredited Professionals are recognised for their up-to-date knowledge and experience within the field of sustainability in event management and their competency to advise, assess or train others.

Anastasia Zotou specialises in sustainable sports events providing organising committees with the appropriate knowledge on how to reduce negative impacts as well as raising environmental awareness to all stakeholders and participants.

Luca Guzzabocca has more than 15 years of experience in sustainable procurement and supply management. Since 2013 he has developed a sustainable event framework for the International Federation of Motorcycling (F.I.M) specifically for motorcycling. He is advisor for the Italian Mugello and Misano circuits for MotoGP events.

Dora Palma is an in-house sustainability manger at Rock in Rio – a music festival which occurs in Portugal (Lisbon), USA (Las Vegas), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), and Spain (Madrid), and is responsible for the ISO 20121 implementation, develop mobility projects, solid waste management plan, carbon footprint calculation and offset projects, and the sustainability action plan.

About the SEA Accredited Professional Programme:

Prerequisites to become an SEA Accredited Professional are:

a minimum of 24 months demonstrated sustainability-in-event-management practice which includes planning and delivery, including onsite operations.

held an operational role with responsibilities and decision-making authority on event planning and delivery.

gained required experience through professional experience or a combination of professional experience and education.

Candidates undertake a 75-question online competency assessment, which is anonymously peer-reviewed by fellow SEA Accredited Professionals. Once assessed and approved, candidates are asked to contribute new knowledge to the sector and SEA members.

Details of experience:
I've worked in sustainable development projects with several european countries that gave me a wide vision of sustainability.
I work in a ISO 20121 certified event, certification that I've coordinate and now help to maintain, Rock in Rio, that occurs in Portugal (Lisbon), USA (Las Vegas), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Spain (Madrid), and intends to expand to other countries.
I'm specialised in event sustainability, local sustainable development (Local Agenda 21).
I coordinate and develop mobility projects, solid waste management plan, carbon footprint calculation and offset projects, sustainability action plan.